p.s. Although the earthquakte already happened some days ago and mainly (that's what's been reported here) hit the south-island, I hope you and your family are ok, and also "your" farms !

Yep, lets say it is in the works, working through the first drawings as we speak.... Going to be finding that balance of CS length, HA, SA and FORK

Testy, thanks for your kind thoughts on the earthquake, she was a ripper for sure, has caused a load of damage as am sure has been reported, it will be years and years before all is back to what I guess is defined as normal....

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

Your a little ahead of the times Whafe. No doubt an interesting project, but certainly not one I wish to emulate.

What forks are you planning on using?

Not sure if ahead of the times is correct, could be deemed as dumb

I have to do this though, the AC 29er has been an absolutely awesome bike, and of course still is... If I could only have one bike, it would be the AC 29er out of my bikes at present....

I still love what I can ride and do on the FR, so I wish to, well lets say try to get to this type of capability with a 29er.....

The weakness at this point is for sure forks... This is a pain for sure.... I am wanting to build it to suit a 150 - 160mm fork, but fully realise that at this point, reality is kind of that 140mm is where it is at today.. But change is constant, really feel there is some forks in the wind....

I of course have looked into the possibility of the Dorado fork, but really dont think it could be used like say a Lyric or Talas, for sure more DH, but this is not what I am trying to work towards.....

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

Now dont want to have this thread derailed on pedal strike, but truly feel that you are in the minority in regards to pedal strike, I dont suffer it at all, but perhaps I am not railing corners to your level, but am perplexed by the pedal strike you suffer...

In regards to one step to far, you could well be right TLR, however we will not know unless I try.... And try I will...... Am certain many will think I am nuts, but that is nothing unusual, have been called far worse

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

I suspect the AC is already a stronger frame than most compatible forks currently on the market. other than slackening it out a fraction and maybe beefing it up here and there(AM tubing will do that obviously) you'll still be restricted in rear travel and fork travel/strength. trying to build in some decent AM like travel could result in some real comedy proportions no?

You may well have a point, I am not looking for the travel of a DH bike, I want something strong, that if I want to do a large jump, I can.. Dont want to worry about snapping a frame.... Which is why am looking to an AM frame.....

It is for sure going to be difficult to keep a shortish CS, more travel and a full seat post tube.....

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

For sure want to run a more AM type. Am also looking at possibly running a AFR rear on it, which would enable the chainstays to be shorter, and move the seat tube further forward... Am still working this one through with Nicolai...

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

Whafe...don't sweat it, a 140mm 29er will kill it with the right geometry! It's true the forks are lagging a bit...maybe go 1.5" with the HT & use an angleset to get the right HTA with a 140mm fork until the new 150mm/ 36mm stanchioned fork is released

Whafe...don't sweat it, a 140mm 29er will kill it with the right geometry! It's true the forks are lagging a bit...maybe go 1.5" with the HT & use an angleset to get the right HTA with a 140mm fork until the new 150mm/ 36mm stanchioned fork is released

Haha, JNC, you have read my mind, that is what is on order, a 1.5HT and a Cane Creek Angle Set, of which will give me options when the forks come out in the near future....

I would like to try the Marz 44, but am not keen on the 15mm axle, I have just had my 120mm Reba serviced and re built, feels great, just hope the 140 mm Reba is as good.... A coil 140mm would be the business though......

Oh yes the hate is strong, they are yet to come around, they will, they always do

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

Whafe...don't sweat it, a 140mm 29er will kill it with the right geometry! It's true the forks are lagging a bit...maybe go 1.5" with the HT & use an angleset to get the right HTA with a 140mm fork until the new 150mm/ 36mm stanchioned fork is released

I wouldn't say "Hate" as much as I'd say "Clue-less" Come on guys if not for Whafe this place would be dead, He knows more about bikes than 80% the guys here ( if your not part of this 80% don't sweat it, and if you are,ask me if I give a fu@k) Like he said the # 1 bike in his stable is his AC-29er..HELLO..... .I get the whole 29er thing and I STILL get amped up when I read this from Whafe....Look very much forward to seeing this project Whafe.....CF.

I wouldnt say 'hate' or 'clueless'(although there's some truth to that). it's more pisstaking than anything.

we'd probably all like to try it but for whatever reason 29ers just havnt takin off over here. I own a bike shop(albiet a small, specialist one) and I've never been asked for a 29er. Not once. why? i dunno.

It's great that whafes doing what he's doing. i doubt if there's any of us that dont like to see this sort of enthusiasm and boundary pushing. Doesnt mean we cant take the piss though

whafe
the AFR idea sounds like an excellent plan if you can keep it reasonably light. it'll keep the c/stays short, maybe give a bit more travel and allow you to get the saddle well out the way on descents. Current limitation will still be the fork however.